IL2

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG53.10(Jabo) (W1+) Sicily 1942 00

Image 01: Messerschmitt Bf-109F.4 White 1 of 10.(Jabo)/JG53, Sicily, 1942 White 1 was finished in standard 74/75 and 76 camouflage colours applied in a splinter pattern of 74 and 75 on the wing uppersurfaces and a mottle of these colours over the Blue 76 fuselage sides. As the position of the white fuselage band is further forward than usual, the Staffel badge showing a bomb exploding on a silhouette of Malta appears on the camouflage finish. Unusual on this aircraft is the palm-tree and swastika emblem painted beneath the windscreen.

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG53.10(Jabo) (W1+) Sicily 1942 01-03

Photo’s 01-03: This Bf-109F-4, White 1 of 10.(Jabo)/JG53, was photographed after its port undercarriage leg collapsed while preparing to take off for a mission, trapping its 250kg bomb beneath the fuselage. The identity of the pilot is not known but the rudder appears to be marked with two black victory bars. In addition to the PikAs badge on the engine cowling, the Staffel badge appears on the rear fuselage. The Jabo Staffel was the only one to have a Staffel badge, but this aircraft carries an additional emblem under the windscreen which appears to be based upon the palm-tree and swastika design of the Afrika Korps Photo 03: as shown painted on the front mudguard of a German lorry.